Lightning News

Lightning select Boris Katchouk with No. 44 pick at NHL Draft

Tampa Bay owned the 44th selection in the 2016 NHL Draft as a result of the trade that sent Brett Connolly to the Boston Bruins at last season’s trade deadline.

With that pick, the Lightning took Boris Katchouk, a 6-foot-1, 192-pound left wing from Waterloo, Ontario.

Katchouk played in 63 games for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in 2015-16, collecting 24 goals and 27 assists. His 51 points were fourth on the Greyhounds and fifth among OHL rookies. He was named to the OHL Second All-Rookie Team.

Katchouk said he’s “relentless on the forecheck” and compares his game to St. Louis’ David Backes.

Katchouk is a dual-citizen of Canada and Russia. He celebrated his 18th birthday one week ago from today.